You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
I didn’t realize that reading his book I’d find a new favorite author
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Goodreads doesn't allow half stars, but Magic Hour is about 3.5 stars for me. I started the book with no idea what it was about. I like Kristin Hannah's books, and the Magic Hour title and the pretty blue cover drew me in. I really like the premise of this story, but I think some of the unnecessary secondary storylines made me like it less than I would have if the author had just stuck to the main story of a mute girl and her wolf pup showing up in town.
I didn't so much mind the connection between Dr. Julia Cates and Max. They were both doctors, had reasons to be in contact with each other, and both had something they needed to get past and could help each other. The weird Ellie traits, all of her men, and the Cal storyline just went too far for me. I kept asking myself how this woman managed to become a police chief. She could have been likable, but the author created her character in order to give her growth to create a romance ending. It just wasn't necessary. It took away from the story and made me like the book less. Not every story needs to be tied up into a neat little package. There was no need for two romances (the second one wasn't even developed; it was just thrown in for effect). It was just too much for me.
I was also bothered by all the small-town references to the past. These people lived there their entire lives. They would have stopped talking about all this stuff years ago. To keep bringing it up over and over again between all the characters was just strange.
Alice's story was very interesting. While it's unlikely, it's something that could actually happen and it was very interesting to read. I don't know how likely the progress was with the doctor, but from a reader standpoint (with no information for reference), I liked how the relationship between Julia and Alice played out. Julia worked really hard to earn the little girl's trust and it was very sweet when it happened. There were some things that bothered me though. I don't know a lot about autism, but I was kind of surprised at that suggestion multiple times. Having been around some autistic children, her conclusions and statements seemed odd to me. I don't know enough about it to know if that was really strange or not. The other thing that bothered me was how long it took them to reunite her with the wolf. By the time it happened, it was months later and the wolf was already half-grown. Maybe it's because I'm a true dog person, but the fact that she was carrying the puppy and was acting like the puppy (howling and growling and being on all fours instead of being able to communicate like a child) was a big clue that she had been living with wolves. I would have thought it obvious to a doctor of Dr. Cates caliber. You wouldn't separate two siblings if they had been found together like that. Why would you separate the girl and puppy she clings to and clearly appears to be family to her? From a safety standpoint, I understand doing so at the beginning, but he was never even considered until months later. I think the author really missed the mark with that part.
All in all, it was a good story that I enjoyed reading, but I could have done without the oddities, and I was constantly wondering why they didn't include the wolf. Taking her there and having Ellie show up with sirens was a weird point in the story.
I don't want to give anything away, but I enjoyed the ending. It seemed like the best way for it to happen. The interactions with Julia and Alice and the ending were the best parts for me. I give it 3.5 stars. It had so much more potential though.
I didn't so much mind the connection between Dr. Julia Cates and Max. They were both doctors, had reasons to be in contact with each other, and both had something they needed to get past and could help each other. The weird Ellie traits, all of her men, and the Cal storyline just went too far for me. I kept asking myself how this woman managed to become a police chief. She could have been likable, but the author created her character in order to give her growth to create a romance ending. It just wasn't necessary. It took away from the story and made me like the book less. Not every story needs to be tied up into a neat little package. There was no need for two romances (the second one wasn't even developed; it was just thrown in for effect). It was just too much for me.
I was also bothered by all the small-town references to the past. These people lived there their entire lives. They would have stopped talking about all this stuff years ago. To keep bringing it up over and over again between all the characters was just strange.
Alice's story was very interesting. While it's unlikely, it's something that could actually happen and it was very interesting to read. I don't know how likely the progress was with the doctor, but from a reader standpoint (with no information for reference), I liked how the relationship between Julia and Alice played out. Julia worked really hard to earn the little girl's trust and it was very sweet when it happened. There were some things that bothered me though. I don't know a lot about autism, but I was kind of surprised at that suggestion multiple times. Having been around some autistic children, her conclusions and statements seemed odd to me. I don't know enough about it to know if that was really strange or not. The other thing that bothered me was how long it took them to reunite her with the wolf. By the time it happened, it was months later and the wolf was already half-grown. Maybe it's because I'm a true dog person, but the fact that she was carrying the puppy and was acting like the puppy (howling and growling and being on all fours instead of being able to communicate like a child) was a big clue that she had been living with wolves. I would have thought it obvious to a doctor of Dr. Cates caliber. You wouldn't separate two siblings if they had been found together like that. Why would you separate the girl and puppy she clings to and clearly appears to be family to her? From a safety standpoint, I understand doing so at the beginning, but he was never even considered until months later. I think the author really missed the mark with that part.
All in all, it was a good story that I enjoyed reading, but I could have done without the oddities, and I was constantly wondering why they didn't include the wolf. Taking her there and having Ellie show up with sirens was a weird point in the story.
I don't want to give anything away, but I enjoyed the ending. It seemed like the best way for it to happen. The interactions with Julia and Alice and the ending were the best parts for me. I give it 3.5 stars. It had so much more potential though.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
4.5⭐️
This is one of Kristin Hannah’s older books that I’ve been putting off reading, but it was great! The book had her usual deeper topics mixed in with suspense/mystery. It was hard to put down toward the end as I really wanted to know where the little girl came from. Definitely recommend!
This is one of Kristin Hannah’s older books that I’ve been putting off reading, but it was great! The book had her usual deeper topics mixed in with suspense/mystery. It was hard to put down toward the end as I really wanted to know where the little girl came from. Definitely recommend!
Another Kirsten Hannah book that is finished by crying and embarrassing myself on the train
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes